Zero To Travel Podcast

How can travel serve as a path to healing and self-discovery?

Today, I’m joined by C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, to talk about what it was like growing up in the Yunnan Province of China and how a bike-packing trip through the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands helped her reclaim her power.

In this episode, Seventeen opens up about her challenges coming out of that environment to pursue an unconventional path and what she had to overcome to follow her dreams. We also explore her book The Weight We Carry, which contains poems from her solo bike-packing journey. She shares how this transformative trip contributed to her healing, what the adventure was like, and how it continues to impact her to this day.

This story just might inspire you to, as Seventeen wrote on the back of her book, “jump on a bike, go on a journey, dive deep into the self, and let the weight of your human identity dissolve into the wind.” 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation.

How has travel brought about a transformation in you? I'd love to hear your story and hope you’ll share it by sending me an audio message.

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• This episode is sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip. 

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Want to visit some of the less popular but equally epic destinations in Europe?

Joseph Reaney is a freelance travel writer based in the UK and Czech Republic who’s written for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness, Fodor's Travel, National Geographic, and Rough Guides. In addition to his freelance writing, Joe is the founder and editor-in-chief of the travel content writing agency World Words, as well as a jobbing comedy writer/producer/director.

In this episode, Joe and I talk about his life as a travel writer and his favorite alternatives to the more commonly visited places around Europe. He shares about his lifestyle living between cities, his experience taking a gap year to teach English in Nepal, tips for being a hospitable host and guest when couchsurfing, how he unexpectedly became a travel writer without any journalism training, and (of course!) his list of the top five alternative European destinations.

Where would you want to visit first? Do you have your own alternative spot to add to the list? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Need help landing your dream remote job? Considering becoming a digital nomad but not sure where to start? Look no further than Jordan Carroll, AKA The Remote Job Coach!

After landing his dream job working for Remote Year, Jordan now helps job seekers level up their game by teaching them an effective strategy to land legitimate remote job opportunities without the traditional application process.

In this episode, Jordan and I talk about some considerations for becoming a remote worker, how to test the remote work and digital nomad lifestyles, and why it’s important to define fulfillment for yourself. He also shares the secret to how he secured his dream job and actionable strategies to help you do the same! You’ll learn his step-by-step process for assessing and landing remote jobs, why interviews start well before the actual interview, and his systemized approach to networking and building relationships that can lead you to incredible opportunities.

Whether you’re seeking remote work, are an established entrepreneur, or want to take your current work on the road, this episode is packed with a TON of value you don’t want to miss! 

What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Integrating ourselves into a new culture allows us to meet more locals and enhance our travel experience. But how can we do this in the most authentic and ethical way?

Lorelou Desjardins is a French lawyer who’s lived in seven countries, speaks four languages, and has dedicated over a decade to addressing environmental issues and fighting injustice on behalf of Indigenous people worldwide. She is also a fellow immigrant to Norway and has a popular blog and book called A Frog in the Fjord, which has become a bestseller here in Norway. 

During today’s chat with Lorelou, you´ll hear about her experience advocating for Indigenous rights and rainforest protection. She’ll share tips on ethical travel to Indigenous areas, advice for cracking the cultural code wherever you go so you can get the most out of your trip, and the importance of being unafraid to follow a different path that others may not agree with. We also commiserate on the curiosities of life in Norway and some of the quirky things we’ve experienced living here as immigrants!

Have you taken the time to immerse yourself in local culture while you travel? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Thanks To Our Sponsors

• This episode is also sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m pulling one of my favorites from the archive for this week's episode!

If you want to learn the secret to finding cheap flights, listen to Scott Keyes.

Scott took his passion for finding cheap flights and sharing deals with friends and turned it into the uber-successful Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), a service that tracks airfare prices and alerts its 2+ million members to exceptional airfare deals.

He is also the author of Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World, a timely guide for anyone hoping to turn vacations from once a year into many more.

Scott is the world’s foremost expert in finding the cheapest flight deals and loves helping you save money so you can travel more. If you’re curious about what it takes to find the best deals on flights, his methodology, best practices when booking, the mindset you need to have when booking flights, and much more, then you will not want to miss this episode!

Which of Scott’s techniques will you use for booking your next trip? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Have you ever thought about what your travels would look like without alcohol?

Today I’m joined by Margaret Ward to get her 10 expert tips on traveling alcohol-free and explore why this may be something you’d want to consider trying yourself!

After eliminating alcohol, Margaret rediscovered her joy for travel – so much so that she started Alcohol-Free Adventure Retreats (AFAR), where she helps women rediscover and challenge themselves by embracing travel without alcohol.

Whether you’re sober-curious or just interested in a different travel experience, Margaret’s tips are valuable in many situations. In addition to Margaret’s advice, we have a deeper conversation about living in an alcohol-centric society. You’ll learn about some of the benefits of the sober-curious movement and sober travel, why committing is sometimes easier than moderating, how to avoid decision fatigue while traveling, and plenty more.

Are you considering going alcohol-free on your next trip? If you already travel without alcohol, what do you enjoy the most? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Thanks to Our Sponsors

• This episode is sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have a special episode from Exploring San Francisco - an audio adventure recorded on location, designed to let you feel what it’s like to experience this incredible city yourself!

In this episode, award-winning travel writer and host Aaron Millar takes us on an immersive whirlwind journey, exploring San Francisco in the most iconic way possible. As you travel with Aaron, you’ll stop off at all the highlights along the line, revealing the story of the city from its Gold Rush roots to the creativity and diversity that defines it to this day.

Learn more about The Golden City and plan your next adventure with San Francisco Travel.

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What better way to experience and connect with a culture than through its food?

Today I’m joined by Eating Europe founder Kenny Dunn to learn how travel led him to discover his passion for food and get expert insight on the top 10 authentic food experiences you don’t want to miss when visiting Europe.

Since 2011, Eating Europe has guided over 300,000 travelers to the best local eats in 10 of Europe’s greatest cities, allowing them to discover where locals go out to eat, hear the stories behind each dish, and interact with the people who make these iconic foods.

In addition to Kenny’s highly-curated list, we’ll dig into his entrepreneurial journey and how his failed around-the-world adventure ultimately led him to start the first food tour company in Rome. You’ll also learn how he discovers these places so you can enjoy more authentic food experiences and meet more locals anywhere in the world yourself! 

What’s your favorite food memory? Which of Kenny’s top 10 are you adding to your bucket list? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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What comes to mind when you think of Wisconsin?

Today I’m joined by Anne, Cassie, and Casey from Travel Wisconsin to help you discover the unexpected wonders waiting for you in the Badger State. 

Wisconsin is filled with friendly locals, incredible food, amazing culture, and epic outdoor adventure – and you’re going to get a big heaping slice of all that today!

In this episode, we explore the incredible immersive experiences that allow you to connect with the local food scene and community and the outdoor recreation opportunities you can’t find anywhere else (plus a one-of-a-kind trail that I just added to my bucket list!). We’ll also talk about some of the unique Indigenous cultural offerings and why every traveler should make tribal tourism a part of their journey.

What are you most excited to experience in Wisconsin? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Here's a powerful question to ask yourself, "Am I using your time well?".

Jerry Kopack is an author, speaker, and recovering cubicle dweller. After doing his time in corporate America, he founded and ran a hospice for 10 years. Through serving patients at the end of their lives, Jerry learned the greatest lesson, one not found in any business school or cubicle - the value of time.

In this episode, Jerry shares what he’s learned from caring for the dying and how that led to building a life of travel and bike packing around the globe.

You’ll learn why he refers to his corporate career as “soulless” and how he unexpectedly discovered his passion for hospice care, how a two-month bike tour turned into nearly two years and the invaluable insights he discovered about himself and the human experience along the way.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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